ICLA Project Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that assists people forced to flee due to conflict and crises. Established to provide life-saving and long-term assistance, NRC operates in 40 countries with a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff members. In the Middle East alone, NRC has over 3,000 employees dedicated to supporting individuals affected by conflict in countries such as Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, and Palestine. The organization focuses on various core competencies, including Shelter, Education, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Livelihoods and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA). NRC is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees are treated with respect and dignity, and it actively promotes a culture of empowerment and responsibility among its staff.

Job Overview:
The ICLA Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing the NRC's ICLA project portfolio in Northwest Syria, ensuring that all activities align with the organization's strategic objectives. This role involves leading strategic planning efforts, conducting legal needs assessments, and reviewing referral mechanisms for ICLA interventions. The Project Manager will work closely with the ICLA Specialist to ensure that the field team structures are aligned with the program's goals and will lead recruitment processes as necessary. The position requires a strong focus on maintaining quality and legal compliance across all ICLA services, including legal counseling, information provision, representation, and referrals. The Project Manager will also be responsible for integrating evidence and learning into program development, overseeing the legal accuracy of information provided to project participants, and supporting the development of legal tools and training materials. Additionally, the role involves active participation in humanitarian coordination forums and strengthening collaboration with various stakeholders, including protection actors and local authorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The ICLA Project Manager will have a range of specific responsibilities, including: leading strategic planning for the ICLA program in Northwest Syria; conducting legal needs assessments and gap analyses; reviewing and proposing improvements to referral mechanisms for ICLA interventions; coordinating with the ICLA Specialist to review field team structures and job descriptions; ensuring quality and legal compliance across ICLA services; overseeing the use of case management and M&E tools; supporting the development of legal tools and training materials; guiding legal research and advocacy messaging; participating in humanitarian coordination forums; strengthening collaboration with protection actors and local authorities; identifying staff training needs; coordinating project start-up, progress review, and closure meetings; and carrying out any other relevant tasks as requested by the Area Programme Manager or ICLA Specialist.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a relevant university degree, preferably in law, human rights, or social studies, with a master's degree considered an added value. A minimum of three years of experience in a senior-level legal assistance or protection project implementation position in a humanitarian or recovery context is required. Candidates should have ICLA (Legal) technical expertise, particularly in Housing, Land & Property and civil documentation issues, and experience working in complex and volatile contexts. Proficiency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory, along with experience using project management tools. Knowledge of the displacement context in Syria and the Middle East, as well as experience with legal programming and case management, is essential. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a relevant university degree, with a preference for fields such as law, human rights, or social studies. A master's degree in these areas is considered an added advantage, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in legal assistance and humanitarian work.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of experience in a senior-level role focused on legal assistance or protection project implementation within a humanitarian or recovery context. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage complex projects and navigate challenging environments effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, both in written and verbal communication. While knowledge of Arabic is not mandatory, it is considered desirable and may enhance the candidate's ability to engage with local stakeholders and communities effectively.

Additional Notes:
The preferred duty station for this role is Idlib, although candidates based in Aleppo may also be considered. The contract is fixed-term, and the role may require travel within areas of operation, estimated at 30-40%. The salary and benefits are based on NRC's national salary scale, specifically at Grade

• NRC is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and encourages diversity in its workforce. The organization emphasizes a culture of empowerment, innovation, and responsibility, providing employees with opportunities to contribute ideas and take initiative. Additionally, NRC has a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation, abuse, and harassment, ensuring a safe and respectful work environment for all employees.